127- Asserting Respect and Authority

**VITTORIO CASSINI’S POV**

The moment I had with Giullia on that hill was necessary and fundamental to understanding that our love will always prevail. When I argued with her about the discovery of a damned son of Messina, it wasn't out of distrust, but out of getting nervous and knowing that everything is getting harder, making the day I'll leave this life even more difficult.

Returning home, feeling rejuvenated, I take a shower and get ready to go to the main warehouse and meet with the leaders of cities in Italy. It's time to prepare to defeat another enemy.

I put the watch on my wrist, and the gun on my waist, and comb my hair. Giullia comes out of the bath and looks at me attentively.

"Be careful!" She asks affectionately.

I look at her and approach, kiss her on the forehead, and smile.

"I will, I'll be back as soon as possible. Are your parents moving out? I asked to thoroughly search the house, we installed security cameras, and it's ready. If you insist they liked that house... there's no other way." I give a half smile and understand that Messina Junior's fight isn't with them but with me.

"Yes, they're getting ready to move."

After the conversation with Giullia, I leave the house, joining the security guards and a good number of men who accompany me to the east warehouse.

Two hours later, I arrive at the location and see many cars parked, indicating that the leaders have already arrived. I get out of my car as soon as it stops and walk towards the warehouse. Everyone looks at me, observing my arrival.

"Hello, boss!" One of them greets me, and I nod in response.

I enter the warehouse and see everyone scattered in the open and empty space, some sitting in available chairs, and others standing.

I stop in the center, analyzing the familiar faces, like the leaders of Venice, Rome, Florence, and Genoa, among others. Some don't like my leadership, but they respect it. Others believe that I'm doing a good job.

I take a deep breath and prepare to start this conversation.

"Thank you all for being here. I'm here today to inform everyone of some unpleasant news. Messina is gone, but he left an heir, and he's here, causing me minor troubles." I reveal at once.

Voices start echoing in the place, they get agitated with the information, speaking simultaneously to the point of making me order silence.

"I know you're worried, some curious, but I inform you right away that this hasn't affected me at all. When Messina was alive, he dealt with this organization in an absurdly personal way. At no time did he care about groups, and everyone here has experienced that at some point. At least those who started before I became the leader." I look at a good part of them.

The agitation catches my attention, knowing that the news of the son of a former leader can have an impact. I take a deep breath and look to the side, and Enzo looks at me as if understanding the same. Most of the time, education is not the most indicated path to follow. However, fear can be the solution.

"Is he trying to become a leader?" One of them asks.

"But... why did he come back after so many years?" Another one asks.

This raised curiosity, and I was the one who opened this gap. I take a deep breath, grab my gun from my waist, and fire a shot upwards. The bang draws everyone's attention, and they become frightened. I notice that they look at me attentively, and everyone is silent.

I put the gun back on my waist calmly, straighten my clothes, and look at each of them again.

"I am the leader of the Italian mafia. I defeated an out-of-control, disturbed, and incompetent leader. I made everyone gain prestige and money. I don't tolerate any betrayal, and whoever dares to join Messina's son will end up like him... dead!"

I look attentively at each of them, staring at them like a fierce animal. The questions ceased, and I looked at my wristwatch, noticing that time passes quickly. I have an unavoidable commitment.

"Any questions or do you prefer to pay to see? I advise you not to. I know he can offer tempting proposals, and you might end up deceived. You've been warned!"

I end the conversation and turn my back, walking towards the door, and hear the voices debating simultaneously. The security guards surround me in the car, and I get in. As I sit, the driver asks me if I want to go to the destination I had informed hours earlier, and I confirm. He starts the car, and we leave the warehouse, leaving the leaders talking among themselves.

________________________

*Hours later...*

Approaching the secluded farm outside the city, I observe the green of the trees and the fresh air flowing through the open window. The driver knows the way well; we've come to this place twice over the years.

As we near the farm, we park the car and I step out, walking towards the door. Even before reaching it, I see Stefano emerging from the house, holding a bag of some kind of grass.

"Hello, friend!" I smile upon seeing him.

He startles and looks at me attentively. Walking towards me with a limp due to a serious leg injury that has affected his mobility, Stefano extends his hand, and I shake it, smiling.

"How are you? And how's Bella?" He asks, glancing at me.

"She's fine, she's started studying alongside my son. She's becoming increasingly talented at the piano and is also a very polite girl," I inform him.

He smiles, but I can tell he always feels saddened when we talk about Bella. Stefano was informed when I took Bella from her adoptive family, but he never dared to meet her, relinquishing that opportunity so she could have a peaceful life, believing that only I could provide that. He lives on this farm, isolated from the world, working as a farmer. Losing Chiara has left a deep trauma in his life, and he just wants to live out the rest of his days in this place.

"How are the criminals? Giving you much trouble?" He smiles and limps towards a garage next to the house.

I try to help by putting my hand on his arm, but Stefano pushes me away, refusing my help, as he has done before.

"No need!" he grumbles.

"Things are tense at the moment. Some idiot tried to harm me, but I'm already taking all necessary measures. I came here to visit you and see if you need anything!" I walk alongside him, heading towards the garage.

"Everything's fine, take care of Bella," he glances at me and enters the building.

I won't force the conversation, knowing he doesn't want to talk. I sigh and return to the car, where the driver awaits. Upon entering, I instruct him to head back home, as it will be hours before we return. I'm worried about Giullia and the interest of Messina's son in her. I'll have to think of a trap to catch him.